Best $10 Upgrade for your Glock Gen3
Published by FU INC on Jun 25th 2026
Glock Gen3 Brass to Face Fix: Why Upgrading to a Gen4 or G19X Ejector Is the Best $10 Upgrade You Can Make
If you've spent any time shooting a Glock Gen3 or Glock-compatible pistol, you've probably heard shooters complain about brass hitting them in the face, weak ejection patterns, or spent casings ejecting in random directions.
While there can be several factors that contribute to erratic ejection, one of the simplest and most effective fixes is upgrading to a Glock OEM Gen4 30274 Ejector or the newer Glock Gen5/G19X 47021 Ejector.
For around $10, this small part can dramatically improve reliability and ejection consistency on many Gen3-style Glock builds.
What Causes Brass to Hit You in the Face?
One of the most common complaints among Glock owners is spent brass ejecting:
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Straight back toward the shooter's face
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Over the top of the slide
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Weakly to the side
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Inconsistent directions from shot to shot
This issue became especially common during certain production years when Glock made changes to extractors and ejector designs.
Although extractor tension, recoil spring weight, ammunition choice, and slide tolerances can all influence ejection, the ejector itself plays a major role in how spent casings are kicked out of the pistol.
What Does the Ejector Do?
The ejector is located inside the trigger housing and is responsible for striking the spent cartridge case as the slide cycles rearward.
As the extractor pulls the spent casing from the chamber, the ejector contacts the case and forces it out of the ejection port.
The shape and angle of the ejector determine:
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Direction of ejection
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Consistency of ejection
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Distance brass is thrown
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Reliability during cycling
Even small changes to ejector geometry can significantly affect performance.
Gen3 Ejector vs Gen4 Ejector
Most older Glock Gen3 trigger housings utilize the OEM #336 ejector.
The Gen4 trigger housing introduced the improved OEM #30274 ejector.
Compared to the older Gen3 design, the 30274 ejector features:
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Revised angle
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Improved contact point with spent casings
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More consistent ejection pattern
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Reduced brass-to-face incidents
Many shooters report immediate improvements after upgrading from the older Gen3 ejector to the Gen4 version.
Why the Glock G19X / Gen5 47021 Ejector Is Even Better
Glock continued refining the ejector design with the release of the Gen5 and G19X platform.
The OEM 47021 ejector incorporates further geometry improvements that many shooters believe provide the most consistent ejection pattern Glock has produced.
Benefits often include:
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Stronger ejection
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More consistent 3–4 o'clock ejection
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Reduced brass-to-face issues
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Improved reliability across various ammunition types
For many Glock-compatible builders, the 47021 ejector has become the preferred upgrade.
How to Swap a Glock Ejector
One of the best parts about upgrading to the Glock OEM Gen5/G19X 47021 ejector is how simple the installation process is.
Unlike many Glock upgrades, no fitting, filing, or special tools are required.
Step 1: Remove the Trigger Housing from the Frame
After disassembling the frame and removing the trigger assembly, pull the trigger housing out of the rear of the frame.
The ejector is the thin metal arm protruding from the trigger housing.
Step 2: Remove the Factory Ejector
Using a pair of needle-nose pliers, firmly grasp the ejector and pull it straight out of the trigger housing.
The ejector is simply press-fit into the housing and does not require any pins or special tools for removal.
Photo Caption:
Removing the factory ejector from the trigger housing using needle-nose pliers.
Step 3: Ejector Removed
Once removed, the ejector separates completely from the trigger housing.
At this point you can compare the old ejector to the upgraded version before installation.
Photo Caption:
Factory ejector removed from the trigger housing. Installation of the upgraded ejector is simply the reverse process.
Step 4: Compare the Gen3 and Gen5 Ejectors
The factory Glock Gen3 trigger housing (SP00322) utilizes the older #336 ejector, while the newer Glock Gen5/G19X trigger housing (SP47208) uses the updated #47021 ejector.
The most noticeable difference is the angle and shape of the ejector tip. Glock revised the geometry of the 47021 ejector to provide a more positive contact point with the spent casing during extraction.
Many shooters report that upgrading from the #336 ejector to the #47021 ejector results in:
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More consistent ejection patterns
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Stronger ejection
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Reduced brass-to-face incidents
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Improved reliability across different ammunition types
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More consistent 3–4 o'clock brass ejection
Top: SP47208 Housing with #47021 Ejector
Bottom: SP00322 Housing with #336 Ejector
Important Compatibility Note
Although the comparison photo shows both the Gen3 (SP00322) and Gen5/G19X (SP47208) trigger housings, the Gen5/G19X trigger housing itself is not used in most Glock Gen3 builds.
For this upgrade, you are only transferring the 47021 ejector from the Gen5/G19X housing into your existing Gen3 trigger housing.
The process is simple:
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Remove the factory #336 ejector from your Gen3 housing.
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Remove the #47021 ejector from the Gen5/G19X housing.
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Install the #47021 ejector into your original Gen3 housing.
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Reinstall the Gen3 housing into the frame.
The Gen5/G19X housing is typically purchased only because it comes pre-installed with the factory Glock OEM 47021 ejector.
Bottom Line:
✔ Reuse your original Gen3 trigger housing.
✔ Install the upgraded 47021 ejector.
✘ Do not install the complete Gen5/G19X trigger housing into a Gen3 frame.
This is one reason the upgrade remains inexpensive—you're simply swapping ejectors while retaining your original Gen3 housing.
Step 5: Install the New Ejector
Installation is as simple as reversing the removal process.
Align the upgraded ejector with the slot in the trigger housing and press it firmly into place until fully seated.
No modifications, fitting, or special tools are required.
Will It Work in My Gen3 Glock?
In most cases, yes.
Many Gen3 Glock owners and Glock-compatible builders install either:
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Glock OEM Gen4 Trigger Housing with 30274 Ejector
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Glock OEM Gen5/G19X Trigger Housing with 47021 Ejector
Compatible platforms commonly include:
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Glock 19 Gen3
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Glock 17 Gen3
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Glock 26 Gen3
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Polymer80 PF940C
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Polymer80 PF940V2
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SCT Frames
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GST-9 Frames
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Other Glock Gen3 Compatible Frames
Always verify compatibility before installation.
Why Glock-Compatible Builders Love This Upgrade
Unlike many aftermarket upgrades that promise huge improvements but deliver little real-world benefit, the ejector upgrade solves a common mechanical issue.
Shooters frequently report:
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Cleaner ejection patterns
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Less brass impacting hats and eyewear
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Increased confidence during training and competition
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Improved reliability with lower-powered ammunition
Considering the part typically costs around $10, it's one of the highest-value upgrades available.
The Best $10 You'll Spend on Your Glock
When shooters ask what upgrade offers the biggest improvement for the least amount of money, the answer is often the same:
Upgrade your ejector.
Whether you choose the Glock OEM Gen4 30274 ejector or the newer Glock Gen5/G19X 47021 ejector, you'll likely notice more consistent ejection and fewer cases bouncing off your forehead.
For Glock Gen3 owners and Glock-compatible builders experiencing erratic ejection patterns or brass-to-face issues, this simple upgrade remains one of the most effective and affordable reliability enhancements available.
Shop Glock OEM Trigger Parts
Looking to upgrade your Glock-compatible build?
Freedom Unlimited Inc. offers genuine Glock OEM lower parts kits, trigger housings, ejectors, slide parts kits, and Glock-compatible components to help improve reliability and performance in your build.
Whether you're building a new Glock-compatible pistol or troubleshooting brass-to-face issues on an existing setup, factory Glock components remain one of the most trusted solutions available.
